Tattoo ink cap and array

ABSTRACT

A tattoo cap array is disclosed having a plurality of tattoo caps aligned sequentially each having a cavity defined by a frustoconical sidewall, a base forming a closed end of each cavity and linking together each of the plurality of tattoo caps, and a detachment section formed in the base at a midpoint between adjacent tattoo caps. A concave ring is preferably formed in the sidewall of each cavity to prevent dripping of ink, provide a discernible fill line and helps prevent ink overflow during filling. An adhesive layer may also be applied to a bottom side of each cap to allow reliable placement of the cap array. The base of each cap is octagonal for increased stability for filing and use. Preferably, the array comprises between 6 and 20 caps which can come is a variety of volumes and can be separated into a smaller number of caps by detaching caps at the detachment section of the desired cap of the array. The detachment section may be a perforated strip, a frangible section, or other suitable mechanism which would facilitate separation.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the filing priority of related U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/366,777 titled “TATTOO INK CAP” and filed on Jul. 26, 2016. The '777 application is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention of the present application relates to tattoo ink caps used to hold individual ink colors for an artist during tattooing. Particularly, the invention relates to disposable ink caps detachably connected in linear arrays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ink cap is as basic a tool to the tattoo artist as the palette is to a painter. Each is used to retain and mix a modicum of color pigments needed to create a desired image, whether that should be on human skin or a stretched canvas, without wasting valuable ink or paint. The ink cap has the further benefit of preventing cross-contamination between clients, as it is disposed of after each use along with the ink therein.

The basic tattoo setup process typically begins with dabbing the bottom of each ink cap with an ointment/gel to provide stabilization. The caps are then arranged as desired by the artist and filled with an ink, typically from a larger squeezable bottle. Obviously, for small tattoos the number of caps needed might be minimal, while larger, more colorful works can require ten or more caps. Even with the use of stabilizing ointment/gel, each cap, which can vary in size, presents a possible spill of valuable tattooing ink. Spills present not just a loss of ink, but also a loss of time for the artist to clean up the spill and refill the ink cap.

Further, ink caps currently on the market either come in individual, single caps (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,452 to Barth) or as a plurality of connected caps—e.g., sheets of 50 or so caps—(see, for example U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0060308 A1 to Abbott et al.). In the former instance, individual caps can be utilized in any number necessary, but they lack the stability of joined caps. These caps can also be chaotic from a packaging standpoint, often sold in bags of 1000 or more caps. hi the latter instance, the large sheets of caps are more than enough for any tattooing project and they can be readily stacked for organized packaging. However, these sheets require cutting of the plastic bases to get the exact number of caps needed for any project. Further, if additional caps are needed during tattooing, the artist, who typically wears gloves, must attempt to cut caps from the sheet with gloved-hands or remove the gloves to cut. This is not only inconvenient for the artist, it presents the opportunity for cross-contamination and compromised sterilization.

In both instances, the cap design for the '452 Patent and the '308 Published Application is a cylindrical reservoir with a smooth interior wall. This design facilitates dripping of ink during use, which is a detriment to careful and neat tattooing practices.

These and other problems are addressed by the disclosed device, which provide a system and method with numerous advantages in operation and effectiveness over prior tattooing caps in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, a tattoo cap array is disclosed comprising a plurality of tattoo caps aligned sequentially each having a cavity defined by a sidewall, a base forming a closed end of each cavity and linking together each of the plurality of tattoo caps, and a detachment section formed in the base at a midpoint between adjacent tattoo caps.

In an embodiment, the sidewall of each cap forms a substantially frustoconical cavity with sloped sidewalls. A concave ring is preferably formed in the sidewall of each cavity to prevent dripping of ink, provide a discernible fill line and helps prevent ink overflow during filling. An adhesive layer may also be applied to a bottom side of each cap to allow reliable placement of the cap array.

In an embodiment, the base of each cap is octagonal for increased stability for filing and use. The base also provides spacing between adjacent caps to prevent accidental mixing. Preferably, the array comprises between 6 and 20 caps which can come is a variety of volumes and can be separated into a smaller number of caps by manually detaching caps at the detachment section of the desired cap of the array by tearing or breaking the connection—as opposed to prior art arrays which must be cut with a separate tool. The detachment section may be a perforated strip, a frangible section, or other suitable mechanism which would facilitate manual separation of the caps 12.

Further, a tattoo cap is also disclosed, the cap comprising a cavity defined by a sidewall, a base forming a closed end of the cavity, and a detachment section formed in the base along an edge and forming a connection to an adjacent tattoo cap.

These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and appendices embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an eight (8) cap array;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a cap from the array illustrated in section A of FIG. 1 showing a single cap and an adjacent connection;

FIG. 3 is bottom view of another single cap and adjacent connection from the array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-section of an embodiment of a single cap; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an eight (8) cap strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the invention can generally be described as a multi-cap array 10 with each individual cap 12 being coupled to an adjacent cap along an edge of their respective bases 14 by a detachment section 16. The caps 12 are preferably sequentially arranged. Additionally, the base 14 of each cap 12 includes an adhesive layer 20 covered by a protective release backing 22 with a pull tab 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred array 10 comprises eight (8) individual linearly aligned caps 12. However, the array 10 may have as few as two (2) caps. The upper number of caps which may be connected in a linear array is theoretically unlimited, but practically speaking is probably in the range of about 12-20 caps. The arrays 10 may even be arranged in linear pairs (not shown) with pull tabs 24 being directed outward from each pair. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the octagonal-shaped base 14 allows for a myriad of connection edges, but such is preferably limited to allow for easier manipulation of the pull tab 24.

Each cap 12 is formed by a sidewall 13 which defines a cavity 15 into which liquid ink can be retained. The sidewall 13 and base 14 are preferably integral to one another such that the base 14 forms a closed end of the cavity 15.

The detachment section 16 is formed at a midpoint between two adjacent caps 12 and is configured to readily “snap” with the force of bending at the midpoint. Preferably, the detachment section 16 is formed by a perforated strip 17, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the detachment section 16 may be a frangible (i.e., breakable) section formed at the midpoint. As shown in FIG. 4, the section 16 can be comprised of a breakable, thinned section of material with a “v-notch” at the midpoint. Of course, other methods for providing the detachment section 16 of the base 14 are known to those of skill in the art.

The detachment section 16 allows any number of caps 12 to be snapped from the array 10 for use. To provide the best adhesion to a surface, the adhesive layer 20 is preferably applied to the base 14 within close confines of the edges, but so as not to interfere with the detachment section 16. The adhesive layer 20 may, of course, cover a smaller area of the base 14, if desired. The adhesive layer 20 is protected by release paper 22 having a pull tab 24 extending outward from a side of the base 14. Pulling downward upon the tab 24 will separate the release paper 22 and expose the adhesive lay 20. The cap 12 may then be adhered to a suitable flat surface for filling.

With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the base 14 is slightly longer than a diameter of the cap opening 30. This feature reduces tipping and spilling occurrences and provides sufficient spacing between adjacent caps 12 to prevent accidental mixing of inks during use. Further, the cap 12 preferably has a frustoconical lower section 32 which transitions into an internal concave ring 34 before opening to a vertical-walled rim 36 defining opening 30.

The frustoconical cavity 15 reduces ink waste by eliminating sharp corners where ink can become trapped. Conversely, cylindrical caps of the prior art often require tipping to pool ink from the bottom for removal—a practice not favored by artists. The ease of removing ink from the cavity 15 allows the caps 12 to be sold as a single size instead of small, medium and large sizes required by prior art. The versatility of the present cap 12 is a great benefit for artists because it allows them to purchase and store less cap arrays 10.

As previously noted, the interior concave ring 34 within the cavity inhibits dripping from the cap 12 as it provides a stop for the liquid ink before reaching the rim 36. The ring 34 also provides a visual fill-line indicator for mixing and prevents the overflow of ink. The vertical rim 36 is positioned just above the ring 34 and defines the opening of the cap 12.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a preferred array 10 of eight (8) caps 12. The cap arrays 10 are preferably injection molded of any suitable polymer material. As such, each of the arrays 10 can be molded in a single cavity. However, other molding processes may be possible and useful, including two-piece caps (e.g., base and body).

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tattoo cap array, the cap array comprising: a plurality of tattoo caps aligned sequentially each having a cavity defined by a sidewall; a base forming a closed end of each cavity and linking together each of the plurality of tattoo caps; and a detachment section formed in the base at a midpoint between adjacent tattoo caps.
 2. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of each cap forms a frustoconical cavity.
 3. The tattoo cap array of claim 2, further comprising a concave ring formed in the sidewall of each cavity.
 4. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer applied to a bottom side of each cap.
 5. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, wherein the base of each cap is octagonal-shaped.
 6. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, wherein the array comprises between 6 and 20 caps.
 7. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, wherein the detachment section comprises a perforated strip.
 8. The tattoo cap array of claim 1, wherein the detachment section comprises a frangible section.
 9. A tattoo cap comprising: a cavity defined by a sidewall; a base forming a closed end of the cavity; and a detachment section formed in the base along an edge and forming a connection to an adjacent tattoo cap.
 10. The tattoo cap of claim 9, wherein the cavity is substantially frustoconical.
 11. The tattoo cap of claim 9, further comprising a concave ring formed in the sidewall of each cavity.
 12. The tattoo cap of claim 9, wherein the base is octagonal-shaped.
 13. The tattoo cap of claim 9, further comprising an adhesive layer applied to a bottom surface of the base.
 14. The tattoo cap of claim 13, further comprising removable release paper covering the adhesive layer, wherein the release paper comprises a tab extending beyond an edge of the base.
 15. The tattoo cap of claim 9, wherein the sidewall comprises a rim section defining an open end of the cavity and the rim section is substantially vertical.
 16. The tattoo cap of claim 9, wherein the detachment section comprises a perforated strip.
 17. The tattoo cap of claim 9, wherein the detachment section comprises a frangible section. 